TOPIC:

I cannot find any other references to these. In addition to the British Newspaper archive, I have checked The Times and Hansard.

Interested members
From the Black and White Budget of 2/00, IL offers for your amazement a few pics of such a device! As a former Infantryman (many, many years ago) your contributor notes the "attractions" of such a device. When deployed as illustrated, the "Sharpshooter" Modern Shield offers a perfect aiming mark for an opponent, it has a tiny firing aperture with no provision for oblique firing from prone, it could only be used on flat ground, it weighs a mere thirteen pounds - what could possibly go wrong! Needless to say, the "Sharpshooter" shield never saw action in South Africa.
In fairness, the inventor of this unblushingly useless device claims to have hardened his "Sharpshooter" shield to withstand rifle bullets at 400 yards and "light" machine gun fire at 700 yards. An interesting distinction, as both fire the same cartridge in essence. Added to his marching burden, our average overloaded Tommy would very soon discard such a device.
Admittedly, body armour was tried during the US Civil War and found to be useful for static defensive positions - machine gunners - in WW1. Body Armour was widely used in the American War in Indo-China - however, those examples are a technological leap ahead of February, 1900.
Regards to all
IL

Something for Dave.
Regards
IL.

I was able to find some more information of another manufacture of a ballistic shield from during this period. Information from these articles don't seem to be to forthcoming with any production of these shields.
Trev


(North Otago Times, Otago NZ, Tuesday 20 Feb, 1900)



and another article.....

(Timaru Herald, Timaru NZ, Saturday 3 Feb, 1900)



and a story from the lighter-side.......


The other day (says the Melbourne "Argus") a man walked into the Victoria Barracks, and asked to see the commandant. He had a parcel in his hand, and described himself as an inventor. What had he invented? Oh, it was just a little thing of his own. Would the General look at it? No, he had no time just then. The visitor should call again -or, better, let him see Major Parnell. Yes, the inventor could see him. He did.                                                         
"It is a breastplate, I have invented," said the man, as he drew out a thick, oval-shaped sheet of silver-like, metal. It looked solid, yet it was light. The major expressed his astonishment.                                                                                                                                                                      The inventor smiled, "That is my secret," he said "That shield, sir, is bullet-proof. A Victorian soldier with one of those on his breast can face-"                 
"It seems extraordinary," said the major. "How do you know it will do all you say? There is only one way to test its powers."                                            "Any test you like," said the inventor, proudly "We will try it with the revolver first," said the major, as he put a full round of cartridges into his Webley repeater, and led the way to the shooting alley. The breastplate was hung up at a range of about twenty-five yards, and as the major raised his tiny weapon to fire the inventor looked on confidently.                                                                                                                                                                   
Bang! The Victorian soldier behind that breastplate would have had such a stream of daylight let into him that his bones would have remained in South Africa. " Try it again," said the inventor, slightly crestfallen "Hit more in the middle."                                                                                                   
Bang! It was fair through the centre, a hole I that you could put your finger into. The inventor's jaw dropped Bang! bang! bang! His bulletproof breastplate was more like a colander now.                                                                                                                                                                             
"I don't think we need try the rifle," said the major " You see, one of these .303 bullets will penetrate 12in of solid teak at 100 yards and then kill a man on the other side Would you like to see it-"                                                                                                                                                                             
The inventor was satisfied, as he lifted down the remains of his breastplate and examined the ruin. From each hole puffs of white cotton-wool protruded. "Hello' what's this?" asked a bystander, as he dragged the wool through with his fingers. "Oh that was my secret," answered the inventor, with a sigh, as he walked away.

Trev and any other interested Forum member
An obvious conclusion from the Timaru Herald of 3/2/1900. And, if a lead .455" projectile would punch through whatever it was that the inventor provided for Maj. Parnell to test at Vic Barracks, the shield was not up to much.
Over the years, the Forum has seen a couple of topics about the inventors of body shields etc., and what those inventors all those years ago have failed to realise is that the striking energy of a .303" Mk.2 or 7mm Mauser projectile at say 400y is upwards of 900 foot-pounds. For an individual wearing such an encumbrance, imagine the effect of a nine hundred pound weight trip-hammer striking upon it. Apart from knocking that unfortunate on his back, it would break every bone in his rib cage at least.
These days, with modern materials and ceramic plates, body armour is commonplace. But it is never as effective as it is on TV dramas.
Regards
IL.

Hello all

This is from the Glasgow Herald February 20 1900






Regards